Vigils Are Being Held Across the Country for Cassius Turvey, Here’s Where You Can Attend

Vigils and rallies have been announced across Australia after the shocking death of Cassius Turvey last week.

Content warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this story contains distressing content and images of someone who has passed. 

On October 13, Cassius Turvey, a 15-year-old Noongar boy, was the victim of an alleged violent assault while walking with friends after school in Middle Swan, Perth. On Sunday, Cassius died from the injuries he sustained.

The horrific incident has sent shockwaves across the nation, with many local communities holding vigils to mourn the loss of a young life that was taken so brutally. We won’t go into the full extent of the story, but we urge you to read about it on NITV.

Cassius was described by his mother as a “gentle giant” who wants him to be remembered as a beloved member of the community.

Cassius Turvey’s mother reflects on the beautiful nature of her ‘gentle giant.’

The 15-year-old died after being brutally attacked while walking home from his Perth school.

WARNING: This story contains distressing content and images of someone who has passed. pic.twitter.com/Sxtc5AJ6fc

— NITV (@NITV) October 26, 2022

As an Indigenous person, it truly breaks my heart and spirit every time I hear that someone from our First Nations community has died at the hand of violence. Us mob mourn together, and we all carry the pain that Cassius’ death has caused.

We cannot keep accepting Indigenous people’s lives being cut so short. In a similarly devastating Four Corners report, First Nations women are being murdered at up to 12 times the national average. When is enough going to be enough?

It is all of our shared responsibility to take action against violence towards First Nations peoples and protect our young ones from harm.

Where are national vigils for Cassius Turvey being held?

Candlelight vigils and rallies for Cassius Turvey have been organised across the nation. Many are still in the process of being announced, so we will update this piece when we get more information about various locations, but we do have some details we can share for now.

Perth / Boorloo

A community BBQ for Cassius has been planned at Weip Park, Junction Parada Midland, from 11:00 am on October 29.

A candlelight vigil has been planned for 5:30 pm at Midland Oval on October 31. The vigil coincides with Halloween, which organisers said was Cassius’ favourite holiday.

For Perth CBD, a gathering and rally have been organised on November 2 at 3:30 pm at Forrest Pl.

Sydney / Warrane / Warrang

A vigil has also been planned on November 2 at 6:00 pm at Sydney Town Hall. 

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Newcastle / Awabakal

A candlelight vigil has been planned at Civic Park on November 2 at 6:00 pm.

Wollongong

The vigil for Cassius Turvey will take place at MacCabe Park on November 2 at 6:00 pm.

Melbourne / Naarm 

A vigil will take place at the Aboriginals Advancement League on November 2 at 6:00 pm.

Ballarat / Ballaarat

Ballaarat Allies have organised a vigil on November 2 at 6:00 pm at Alfred Deakin Place.

Adelaide / Tarndanya 

A Show Up and Stand Up! event has been planned at Victoria Square on November 2 at 6:30 pm.

Brisbane / Meanjin 

Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance have organised a candlelight vigil for Cassius Turvey at King George Square on November 2 at 7:00 pm.

Darwin / Garramilla

A vigil for Cassius has been organised at Rapid Creek Bridge on November 2 at 7:00 pm.

Canberra / Ngunnawal

There will be a vigil for Cassius at The Aboriginal Tent Embassy on November 2 at 6:00 pm.

Alice Springs / Mparntwe

Intervention Rollback Action Group have organised a solidarity vigil at Alice Springs Court House on November 2 at 7:30 pm.

Broome / Rubibi 

A Justice for Cassius walk and candlelight vigil will take place at Broome Courthouse on Wednesday 2 November at 6:30 pm.

Bunbury / Coolingnup 

Yaka Dandjoo Events have organised a vigil at Graham Bricknell Music Shell on November 2 at 9:00 pm.

Cairns / Gimuy 

A solidarity vigil will occur at Cairns City Library Lawns on November 2 from 8:00 pm.

Wagga Wagga 

A candlelight vigil will take place at Ngurra Hub on November 12 at 5:30 pm.

Townsville / Thul Garrie Waja

Action for Change has organised a Cassius Turvey march for justice at The Strand on November 2 from 11 am.

Eden 

Eden has also organised a candlelight vigil at the local RSL on November 2 at 6:00 pm.

Albany / Kinjarling 

A group will meet at the Albany Town Hall on November 2 at 6:30 pm and walk to the Albany Justice Complex together.

Geelong / Djilang 

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Op has organised a candlelight vigil on November 2 from 6:00 pm.

Vigils appear to be in the works for more locations, still. Again, we will update this piece once we know more.

Cassius’ cousin Michelle Wighton has set up a GoFundMe for the #justiceforcassius cause in an effort to raise money for the family’s funeral costs and legal battle. It amassed $65,000 in 23 hours and is sitting at over $277K at the time of publication.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or report it online.  

This article has been updated since publication.